In the Present

Dreamscape

A young girl with brown hair was running through the darkness, looking for a way out. She felt suffocated and terrified, feeling the shadows around her. She was surrounded by mysterious figure as they spoke, "It's your fault."

She hugged herself before she was engulfed in darkness 

End of Dreamscape

The cat girl demon woke up with eye's wide open when she heard the alarm clock on her desk goes off and it rings at 12:30 pm in the afternoon. The girl presses the button on the alarm and turns it off. She slowly got up from the round white bed with her messy dark red hair, careful with her cat ears.

She groaned, "Another boring day. Another chaotic life."

She was in her pink Pjs with musical notes as she head over to the wall table where there's a fridge beside it and a coffee vending machine.(A/N It's like Haruto's room from 18if)

She stared at the screen before pressing mocha which it appeared with a mug. She grabs it before heading over to the red floating chair.

As she heads to the window, she is in some kind of labyrinth with many doors. (A/N Like the Backrooms game and 18if). It had floating cubes, spheres, gears and clock arms. Starla knows her way because all the doors are extension of her abilities.

She has the power to manipulate labyrinths and manifest her reality which she only uses it as her shelter or rather trying to escape from her pursuer. When she first discover her power, it saved her from being killed which the door appeared before her. From this on, anyone tries to chase would end up lost in the endless maze then kicked them out or rather dropped them off somewhere.

She sighs before she heard a beeping noise which turned out to her pink cat iPhone. She raised her hand which lifted her iPhone, only to see headlines of the recent extermination that was posted. Some were about how many casualties there were, others about how much property damage was done and lastly where there's going to be a turf war.

She finished her coffee as she left the white bedroom which she was surrounded with stairs and doors. It was an empty white space where there's no noise, just silent. Many might get lost but Starla because she knows where to go. She stopped at the red door that appeared which she took a deep breath before stepping outside. She was at Pentagram City where she was in the alley. The blue door can take her anywhere as long as she's nowhere near danger. She altered  her outfit to disguised herself. 

It was rare for demons to see a human-faced demon. When they die, their appearances changed into demon forms or animal features. In her case, She is different since she had a human appearance except she had cat features. That's why she didn't want anyone to see her face or risk being in danger.

She was heading to some kind of supermarket. She would have used her labyrinth to give her everything she needs but she wants to be independent for once. She was looking through the aisle until she bought everything she needs. Starla left the mart quickly, trying to avoid any unwanted attention.

She was walking on the street when she spotted a homeless imp behind the dumpster. She stared at him sadly despite their low ranks but they are still people. Starla glanced around carefully before she walked over to him, startling the imp.

Starla grabbed something in her shopping bag, bringing out water, loaf of breads and can of beans. "Here you can have this." Starla said sweetly.

The homeless imp said surprised, "A-Are you sure?"

"I have everything I need." Starla said kindly, giving it to him.

The homeless imp said happily, "Wow.....No one has never been nice to me. Thank you, ma'am."

Starla smiled as she left the area. She was heading to the alley when she could feel like someone was following her. One thing about her power is that she has empathy which she can sense the feelings of anyone. Right now, she can feel the aura of greed and pride, thinking about robbing her. There were 3 demons following her.

Starla sighs, knowing it was always the same thing so she took a turn. The 3 lizard demons smirked, knowing that she headed to a dead end. They were about to ambushed her when their lustful eyes became terror of fear when they saw the recognize the door.

The lizard demon said with fear, "No way I'm going in there. That's the Witch's door. "

The lizard with bandana said, "Yeah Man, Too bad that cat is a goner."

The fat Lizard said, "Let's just....get outta here. I don't wanna be taken away."

As they left the alley, the red door glowed a bit before it disappeared. There's a secret that no one knows. On the other side, Starla was panting tiredly after escaping from them.

"Man, everyday is the same. Always thieves, gangsters and perverts everywhere." She sighed sadly, removing her glasses and her mask.

Ever since she gained the power to make door appears, Many have seen or heard of her red door which they start calling her 'The Witch of Nowhere.' They all think that there's a witch inside a door who would kidnap, eaten or rather trapped them forever.

Much to Starla's annoyance, she didn't meant to gained the title. There's one thing for sure is that she never harms anyone, she hates those who kept entering her door due to their curiosity or likes a challenge.

She opens another door, placing her grocery inside. 'I hope these food and drinks can replicate.'

As she sighs sadly, She wander through the maze as she began to sing.

Isn't this supposed to set you free?

Well, why do I feel like I'm still here?

If I could show them everything I've learn

Open their eyes to all the words then

Would they change their minds like I do?

But when I speak, they tell me: F**** off

But how can I when I've already started chasing?

Oh, this is where we've been

But it's not where we belong

And I may be young, but I know I'm not wrong

She kept wandering around the labyrinth until the scenery began to changed around her. It switched to a flower fields, different colors with starry night sky to be exact. She walk around the fields with bliss.

So I look up at the stars to guide me

And throw caution to every warning sign

If knowing what it could be is what drives me

Then let me be the first to stand in line

So I make this wish

To have something more for us than this

So I make this wish

To have something more for us than this

Hey, yeah, yeah, yeah

Hey, yeah, yeah, yeah, ah-ah

More than this, oh-ah-ah-ah

She whirled around her body which the flower petals whirled around her as though the wind followed her before she started running through the flower fields

I never knew I needed room to grow

Yeah, I did what I was told when someone told me "Get Lost"

Now I've got all of this freedom in my bones

But I've still got the lid on, so it doesn't overflow

'Cause I've got reservations and hesitations

On where I should even begin

I'm past dipping my toes in

But I'm not, no, I'm not past diving in

If I could just be pointed in any given direction

On where to go and what to do

My legs are shaking, but my head's held high

The way you always taught me to....

Starla looked up to the hills where she sees her mother and her youngest self sitting under stars before it disappeared. She run up and stood on top of the hill.

So I look up at the stars to guide me

And throw caution to every warning sign

I'm sure there will be challenges that find me

But I can take them on one at a time

So I make this wish

To have something more for us than this

So I make this wish

To have something more for us than this

Once the song ended, Starla lay on ground, feeling relaxed as she stared at the blue sky. Despite it is not real, she really miss her old life. It's ashamed it was just manifestation from her memory that correspond to her emotion. She touched her silver heart-shaped locket that was around her neck before opening it, revealing a message on it. It was the only thing she had since she was alive.

There was a message that was left behind as it says, "As constant as the stars above, always know that you are loved. Happy Birthday, My little Star."

Starla closed her locket before hugging it as she muttered sadly, "I miss you Mom, If only there is a way I can reunite with you." 

The moment she said that, the door began to manifest itself which surprised her. Starla stood up, hiding her locket underneath before walking over to the door. She wondered why the red door appeared before her, could it be that it answered her prayer?

The labyrinth and the doors were mysterious since it is an extension of her powers however she felt like it had a mind of its own. Starla placed her hands on the doorknobs then at the door with question.

'I wonder where this door leads me? I'm so curious. Yup, probably because I'm a cat. As they say 'curiosity kills the cat.' But what if it led me to my answer?'

Starla took a deep breath before she opens the door which led her to a different place except she was in the crowd (where no one noticed her), standing in front of the TV store where it showed a commercial. Realizing the situation, she quickly placed her glasses once more.

Then, the Tv commercial was switched to 666 news where two reporters; Katie Killjoy and Tom Trench.

"Well, come back!" Katie Killjoy said as her head fell off but she puts her head back on.

"So Charlotte" Katie said as she looked at blonde hair girl

"It's Charlie" Charlie said to Katie.

"Whatever, tell us that was about this new passion project you've been insistently, pestered a news station about?" Katie asked Charlie as she smiles creepily.

'Why did the door brought me here? Is it some kind of mistake?' Starla thought.

Starla was about to leave when Charlie explained which caught her attention.

"Well... As most of you know, I was born here in hell and growing up I always try to see the good in everything around me. Hell is my home and you are my people, we... we just went through another extermination. We lost so many souls and it breaks my heart to see my people being slaughtered every year and no one is even given a chance! I can't stand idly by while the place, I live is subjected to such violence!" Charlie said as she was determined.

'A hotel that can rehabilitate a demon? Is that possible?' Starla thought in surprise.

https://youtu.be/ZWrM-eDxTas

After Charlie ended her song, Every demons even Katie Killjoy and Tom Trench were laughing at Charlie, she was really sad even everyone laughed at her too.

"What in the nine circles, makes you think a single generous in hell. Will give two sh** becoming a better person?! You don't have proof your little experiment even works! You want people to be good, just because???" Katie said as she continues to laugh at her.

"Well we have a patron already, who believe in our cause and he's shown incredible progress!" Charlie said to Katie as every demons stopped laughing.

"Oh? And who might that be?" Katie asked Charlie as she grim wider.

"Oh... Just someone named Angel Dust" Charlie said to Katie.

"The porn star?!" Tom Trench said in shocked and this course Katie killjoy to be annoyed. "You fucking would Tom." causing Tom to look away.

In any case that's not even accomplishment, I'm sure you can get that hooker to do anything with Enough Booger sugar and Lube" Katie said to Charlie as she was mocking her.

"I beg to differ, he's been behaved, clean and out of trouble for two weeks now" Charlie said to Katie until they were interfered by 'breaking news'.

"We are receiving word that A new player has entered the ongoing turf war! Let's go to the live feed" Katie said as the screen comes on until Starla saw a spider demon in the turf war.

'I bet he is Angel Dust. I did recall I saw him on the Studio.' Starla thought with shudder since she went there accidentally after getting out of there quickly.

"Oh sh**" Charlie said to herself.

"Oh sh*** indeed, it looks like the one, who's just joined the battle is none other than porn actor Angel Dust. What a juicy coincidence you must feel really stupid, right now?" Katie said laughing as Tom Trench laughed too.

"Ratings!" Both Katie and Tom said as Charlie freaked out and tries to cover the screen.

"Don't look at this!!!" Charlie said as Katie Killjoy smirks at her even Tom Trench was looking at her too.

"Well, it looks like your little project is dead On arrival. Tell us, how does it feel to be such a total failure?" Katie said as she laughs.

Starla glared heatedly at Katie. As much as she hated her, she detest those who made fun of someone's dream. 

"Yeah! Well...How does it feel that, I got your pen huh! B***!" Charlie to Katie Killjoy as every demons stop laughing. Katie was shocked what she just said. Charlie got scared of, what she said to her.

"Oops..." Charlie said as Tom quickly runs away until Katie Killjoy got really angry as they started having a catfight.

Then the TV turns off.

Starla felt sorry for the princes before shaking her head and quickly left the TV store. She shouldn't let her emotion overwhelmed as she took a deep breath, feeling relaxed for a moment. She thought about Charlie's hotel and began to question herself.

"Can my soul be redeem? Is that possible?" Starla said doubtfully.

"But still if that hotel can help me, maybe I can reunite with her." Starla added, with a hopeful look. As she made the door appeared before leaving the scene.